During the summer, no other amenity is enjoyed more than a residential community’s swimming pool.
Though a swimming pool can add to the value of the residence and attract new buyers, managing and maintaining it is a major investment of time, energy and money. In order for an HOA’s swimming pool to be safe, successful and enjoyable, its management staff must address many issues. Proper management is the key to retaining a pool’s value. Community managers play a key role in the day-to-day management and operation of the swimming pool. Their responsibilities range from obtaining the proper permits and licenses to training the staff on the pool’s rules and regulations.
It is vital for a community to set clear rules and regulations to follow when using the swimming pool. By setting a comprehensive set of rules and communicating the rules to all the residents, the community ensures the safety of its residents and reduces its liability. The procedure for laying down rules and regulations governing swimming pools varies somewhat by community. In some instances, the HOA will meet and set the rules and regulations collectively. Other associations may adopt rules and guidelines from other community or municipal pools.
It is crucial a pool be well maintained to prevent accidents from occurring. Proper maintenance also protects the pool from damage and prevents it from damaging the surrounding property. This is where professional pool management companies come in. Professional pool management companies specialize in managing swimming pools and health club facilities for co-ops, condos and other residential communities – some even provide lifeguard and maintenance staffing. The majority of communities with pools use these companies, in part because of the reservoir of employees they provide, and also to reduce the burden on their managing agent.
HOAs need to assess their risk and confer with their insurer to make sure the pool their residents enjoy so much isn’t setting them up for catastrophic loss. What about extra coverage for peace of mind? How much a pool actually impacts an association’s bottom line depends on the pool and how it’s rated. It definitely has impact, but it’s not necessarily a driving factor in your premium unless you have a large loss or extensive claims history. Hint: Adding a few commercial umbrellas or a shade structure will help give you an extra limit of liability.
Swimming pools involve plumbing, heaters, pumps and pool furniture that may occasionally need repair. Many pool management companies do not handle extensive repairs themselves, but are responsible for contracting an outside company to do the work. Mechanical problems usually require immediate attention and can be quite costly – running anywhere from $500 to $30,000. In addition to the technical repairs and upkeep, there are other costs involved in maintaining a community pool. When comparing the costs of maintaining and operating a pool against the benefits, many HOAs find that having a pool is worth the expense. For prospective residents, amenities such as a pool are very important. A well-designed and thoughtfully located pool enhances the aesthetics of the overall property. It is a great tool when it comes to marketing your property, as well.
Properly equipping the pool deck is essential to enjoyment and safety. To avoid liability, always furnish the pool are with commercial pool furniture. While residential grade chaise lounges, poolside chairs and tables, and umbrellas have an enticing price, they are not made for public use. If a resident gets injured on a piece of residential furniture, the management is on their own when it comes to lawsuits. Conversely, commercial pool furniture is engineered and built to hold up to constant use daily. If a piece of furniture was to break, you have the manufacturer’s product liability insurance to protect you. In respect to providing an enjoyable pool deck, these are the furniture pieces that you would need:
- Chaise Lounges
- Poolside Dining Chairs
- Poolside Dining Tables & Side Tables
- Commercial Patio Umbrellas
- Umbrella Bases
- Trash Receptacles
- Lifeguard Chairs
While swimming pools may make for happy residents, they are often a challenge to manage and maintain but by forming a close working relationship with a pool management company and by taking proactive measures to make sure the pool is safe and healthy, the stressful elements of managing a swimming pool can be minimized.
ParknPool | Lexington, VA | sales@parknpool.com | 877.777.3700
Recycled content products contain “recovered materials” or “post-consumer materials” or both. “Recovered materials” means materials that have been removed or diverted from solid waste – in other words, trash – including solid waste created by manufacturers. “Post-consumer materials” are materials that we discard at home and at work that are separated or diverted for recycling instead of going to a landfill. Whatever your job, you will most likely be asked to purchase products from recycled materials. Employees in facilities and maintenance may be asked to purchase 
Packaging is a significant solid waste problem. Approximately 23.7% of the volume and 19.4% of the weight in materials found in city landfills is attributed to just packaging alone. The amount of trash we generate can be reduced simply by buying products with reduced packaging. Consider buying a larger quantity in a single box rather than smaller quantities in multiple boxes.
Every military community can benefit from a playground area. They encourage children to engage in active play, improve physical coordination and interact with their peers. In addition, commercial 
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Observing how people use amenities will help in selecting the right kind for your particular area. For example, keep in mind that two-seat benches where there may be only one person sitting at each bench creates a waste of seating. There are also special considerations depending on the environment, such as:
Maintenance is essential in all public areas. Choosing furniture and amenities that are easy to clean and store will help your maintenance crew. Products that are low maintenance can be a better deal than some of their more expensive counterparts, it all depends on how much time and resources you can devote to the upkeep.
Picnic Tables: While many travelers and campers bring their own grill or stove, few actually carry a 
Grills and Fire Rings: Fire rings are essential at camp sites because they reduce fire hazards and make maintenance easier. Since, in most areas, evening use is not encouraged at picnic arears, fire rings are generally not necessary there. 
The Story: After reading the morning paper, Old Man Thomas always takes “Roscoe” for a walk. They’ve been doing this since Mr. Thomas retired almost 10 years ago. The fall is their favorite time of the year to walk, the old man finds the leaves beautiful and it’s a little bit easier for “Roscoe” to stand the weather. You see, “Roscoe” has developed arthritis in his hind quarters do to his old age. Cold weather causes it to flare up and the heat is just too much for an old dog to handle. Mr. Thomas’ favorite poet is Edgar Allen Poe and on their morning strolls he may quote a little from one of his favorite poems while “Roscoe” listens in closely: “In visions of the dark night I have dreamed of joy departed but a waking dream of life and light hath left me broken-hearted.”
The Story: Jerry and his daughter’s boyfriend, Kirk, have decided to spend a weekend together fishing on the lake. They’ve done it before and each trip is a memorable one but this particular weekend is going to be especially memorable. Kirk is about to pop the question to his girlfriend of 5 years and the purpose of this trip is to ask her father for his blessing.
The Story: Since Kirsten was a year old she has watched “Snow White” 115 times, she just turned 3. She knows every word and can recite all 7 dwarfs with ease. She has wanted nothing more than to meet the princess that is plastered all over her bedroom walls. Her parents, who both work full-time jobs, had to save up the money to take little Kirsten to Disney World and they finally got the chance to make the trip. When Kirsten spotted Snow White with one of her dwarfs, she broke loose from her mother’s tight grip to be sure not to miss her chance. After this meeting, Kirsten was chosen to be princess for the day. She rode in the parade and waved at the other park visitors. This was the day she realized that no dream is too big.
The Story: Sue has taken her daughter to this same playground for 4 years but could never get Carrie to slide down the slide. Carrie has always been afraid of what awaits at the bottom, even if her mother’s arms were always waiting to catch her. This is the first time little Carrie has gotten up the nerve to climb up the ladder and take the plunge to the bottom. She never knew it could be so fun! Now Sue can’t keep her off the slide, everyday when she is picked up from Kindergarten she HAS to stop by the playground to take a few turns sliding down the slide into her mother’s waiting arms.
